What are the 4 types of disinfectants?

Author: Jayme Grady  |  Last update: Friday, August 22, 2025

6.15C: Types of Disinfectants
  • LEARNING OBJECTIVES.
  • Key Takeaways.
  • Air Disinfectants.
  • Alcohol Disinfectants.
  • Oxidizing Disinfectants.

What are 5 examples of disinfectants?

Chemical Disinfectants
  • Alcohol. Overview. ...
  • Chlorine and Chlorine Compounds. Overview. ...
  • Formaldehyde. Overview. ...
  • Glutaraldehyde. Overview. ...
  • Hydrogen Peroxide. Overview. ...
  • Iodophors. Overview. ...
  • Ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) Overview. ...
  • Peracetic Acid. Overview.

What are the 4 disinfectants used in hospitals?

Glutaraldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, ortho-phthalaldehyde, peracetic acid, and peracetic acid with hydrogen peroxide are cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are dependable high-level disinfectants provided the factors influencing germicidal procedures are met (see Tables 301-1 and 301-2).

What is the most commonly used disinfectant?

CHLORINE.

Chlorine is the universal disinfectant, active against all microorganisms. It is generally served in the form of sodium hypochlorite, with different concentrations of free chlorine. As a general disinfectant for all types of laboratory work, a concentration of 1 g/l (1000 ppm) of free chlorine is used.

What disinfectant kills the most germs?

Bleach is a strong and effective disinfectant – its active ingredient sodium hypochlorite is effective in killing bacteria, fungi and viruses, including influenza virus – but it is easily inactivated by organic material. Diluted household bleach disinfects within 10–60 minutes contact time (see Table G.

What Are The Types of Commercial Disinfectants

What is the most ideal disinfectant?

The most commonly used chemicals as primary disinfectants are chlorine, chlorine dioxide and ozone. Among them Chlorine is the most widely used primary disinfectant throughout the world.

What kills C diff besides bleach?

“Though bleach can be highly corrosive to surfaces, it is effective against C. diff and our goal is to help save people's lives.” As an alternative to bleach, some facilities are experiencing success in the fight against C. diff by using accelerated hydrogen peroxide (AHP) products.

What kills more germs, alcohol or bleach?

While the relative effectiveness of alcohol and bleach on bacteria and viruses does not vary greatly, it is important not to mix the two agents during cleaning.

What should you never mix with bleach?

Dangers of Mixing Household Chemical Cleaners
  • Bleach + Vinegar = Chlorine gas. This can lead to coughing, breathing problems, burning and watery eyes. ...
  • Bleach + Ammonia = Chloramine. ...
  • Bleach + Rubbing alcohol = Chloroform. ...
  • Hydrogen peroxide + Vinegar = peracetic/ peroxyacetic acid.

Is vinegar a disinfectant?

Acetic acid (vinegar) is an effective mycobactericidal disinfectant that should also be active against most other bacteria. These findings are consistent with and extend the results of studies performed in the early and mid-20th century on the disinfectant capacity of organic acids.

What type of disinfectant is safe 4?

Description. Quaternary ammonium chloride based disinfectant. Effective against bacteria, mycobacteria, yeast, fungi and viruses.

What do hospitals clean their floors with?

Currently, there are five main EPA-registered chemicals that hospitals use for disinfectants: Quaternary Ammonium, Hypochlorite, Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide, Phenolics, and Peracetic Acid.

How long to leave sanitiser before wiping?

Contact time—or “wet time”—is how long a disinfectant needs to stay wet on a surface in order to be effective. Contact times can range from as little as 15 seconds for common hand sanitizer, to as long as 30 minutes for chlorine oxides used in laboratories.

Which disinfectant is used in ICU?

Among the most commonly used disinfectants in intensive care units are aldehyde-based, alcohol-based, per acetic acid based, or lower generation of QAC based. Such products are not applicable on all surfaces, which is why they cannot decontaminate the whole environment.

What is a better disinfectant, vinegar or hydrogen peroxide?

Vinegar is better at killing some germs and hydrogen peroxide is better against others, but dwell time can still take up to 30 minutes each and there are no definitive studies to guide users if you want to kill a specific microbe.

What kills the shingles virus on surfaces?

Kill 99.9% of Viruses and Bacteria with Lysol® Disinfectant Spray on hard and soft surfaces throughout your home.

Is Lysol or bleach better?

Lysol Disinfectant Spray doesn't contain bleach, and is therefore safer for use across a wider range of common surfaces, including toys, food contact surfaces, and fabrics, although if there is any risk of ingestion from any surface where Lysol has been applied, always rewash the surface with potable water after air ...

Can you sleep in the same bed with someone who has C. diff?

Patients with a diagnosed C. diff infection should not share a room with someone who does not have the infection. If you do share a room and your roommate contracts C. diff, ask to be moved.

What color is C. diff poop?

Green Poop

Some people with C. diff notice that their poop takes on a greenish tinge. A number of factors, including IBD and other bacteria, can also cause green poop, so that alone doesn't necessarily signal C. diff.

What is the number one antibiotic that causes C. diff?

But the antibiotics that most often lead to C. difficile infection include: Clindamycin. Cephalosporins. Penicillins.

Is pine sol a disinfectant?

Yes. The 2X Concentrated Original Pine-Sol® Multi-Surface Cleaner is registered with the EPA as a disinfectant when used as directed either diluted (1 cup of cleaner per ½ gallon of water) or at full-strength.

What is the best homemade cleaning solution?

DIY All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe
  • 1/4 cup vinegar.
  • 12-20 drops essential oil.
  • 1 tsp castile or phosphorous-free dish soap or washing soda.
  • 2 cups boiled or distilled water.

What is the best cleaner to clean walls with?

The best solution for cleaning walls is mild soap and warm water, as the soap will work hard to remove grime without harming the painted surfaces.

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